Amazon is a reputable retailer.   Many people purchase the TurboTax software from Amazon.   I would only be suspicious of the software purchased if you purchased it from a third party seller on that site.   The current Amazon price for the CD/download software for 2021 is significantly less than purchasing directly from TurboTax, but it is the same software.

And....when you start your 2021 return the software offers the chance to transfer your 2020 tax file so that you do not have to enter all your personal information etc again.  You have to perform that transfer at the very beginning before you enter any new 2021 data.

How to transfer last year’s return? https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1900883

Sounds like you got it installed and activated if it asked you to transfer from 2020 into it?  What version did you buy?  And Windows or Mac?   Did you use the Desktop program last year too?   What looks different? Or did you use the Online browser version last year?  Desktop is different than the online version.

I used the online browser last year.  But, this was cheaper so I just assumed it was the same.  There are little boxes for all of your answers, it isn't quite as easy to navigate.  I did download last year's return but it still had me type everything in but made me both mad and suspicious.  I am too cheap to pay twice and go back to the online version browser this year because it means pay ing twice but I NEVER do it this way again.

I did buy directly from Amazon and there was a further link to the Intuit Store but I didn't click or use that.  I did download my return but it still had my type everything in.  It was pretty clunky and no where near as easy to use as the normal browser edition.  thank you

What file did you download from  the online version?   You need to download the .tax2020 file to transfer into the Desktop program.   Actually the Desktop program should be easier than the online version.  Are you having trouble?   What version did you buy - Basic, Deluxe, Premier or Home & Business?

If you find and get the .tax2020 file on your computer you can transfer it into 2021 by starting a new return.   Unless you already entered a lot for 2021 and don't want to start over.

The Desktop program can do unlimited returns and efile 5 Federal for free.

You can see and enter directly into the actual forms.

There is a What-If worksheet.

Basic does not include a free state program and has some other limitations like doesn’t import from It’s Deductible.

Deluxe and above include one free state program download to prepare unlimited returns for the same state.  Then each state return is $20 to efile (goes up to $25 in March).  Or you can print and mail state for free. If you need to also file a state return for a different state it is $40 to buy an additional state program.

If you buy Deluxe in the stores it comes 2 ways, Deluxe with State and without state for states that don't have an income tax.  So watch what you buy.  It should say Federal+Efile+State.

You can transfer from online into the Desktop program.  Transfer from Online into the Windows Desktop program.

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/entering-importing/help/transfer-last-year-s-return-to-turbotax-for-windows/00/26145

One way is to start a 2021 Online return and transfer into that.  Then you can download the .tax2021 file from online and just OPEN it in the Desktop program.

The 2021 program has been redesigned a bit this year so it doesn't look the same no matter which program you use ... and once you have used the superior downloaded version you won't want to go back.  

This is my mini version of  a tutorial  that should be in the downloaded program: 

What is Forms Mode?

Forms Mode lets you view and make changes to your tax forms "behind the scenes."

If you're adventurous, you can even prepare your return in Forms Mode, but we don't recommend it. You may miss obscure credits and deductions you qualify for, and you may forget to report things that will come back and haunt you later.

Forms Mode is exclusively available in the TurboTax CD/Download software. It is not available in TurboTax Online.

Related Information:

• Why would I use Forms Mode?
• How do I switch to Forms Mode in the TurboTax for Windows software?
• How do I switch to Forms Mode in the TurboTax for Mac software?
• What is-the-meaning-of-all-the-different-colors-in-forms-mode

If you want to play around with different figures and tax scenarios without affecting your original return you can ….

• >>>In the TurboTax CD/Download software by creating a test copy: 
• 1.  Open your return in TurboTax. 
• 2.  From the File menu, choose Save As. 
• 3.  Give the copy a new name to distinguish it from the original (for example, by adding "Test" or "Example" to the file name). 
• 4. Click  Save. You are now safely working in the test copy and anything you do here will not affect the original. 
•  https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1900642-how-to-make-a-test-copy-of-your-return

• >>  use the WHAT IF tool: 
• - Click Forms Icon (upper right of screen) or Ctrl 2 (forms view) 
• - Click on the Open Form Icon 
• - In the “Type a form name.” area type What-If (with the dash), click on the name of the worksheet - click on Open Form 
• - You will see the worksheet on the right side of the screen; enter the information right into the form 
• - To get back to interview mode - click on the Step-by-Step Icon (upper right of screen) or Ctrl 1

Once you have filed successfully … you can shut off the auto updater function and then save the return &  .taxfile.

It's always a good idea to make a backup copy of your tax data file, in case your original gets lost or corrupted. Here's how:

1. From the File menu in the upper-left corner of TurboTax, choose Save As (Windows) or Save (Mac).
2. Browse to where you want to save your backup.
   • Tip: If you're saving to a portable device, save it to your computer first to prevent data corruption. Then, after completing Step 4, copy or move the backup file to your device.
3. In the File name field, enter a name that will distinguish it from the original tax file (for example, add "Backup" or "Copy" to the file name)
4. Click Save and then close TurboTax.
5. Restart TurboTax and open the backup copy to make sure it's not corrupted. If you get an error, delete the backup and repeat these steps.

If you make changes to your original tax return file, repeat these steps to ensure your original and backup copies are in-synch.

Related Information:                             

• Retrieve a Tax File from a Portable Device
• What's the difference between the tax data file and the PDF file?

AND save it as a PDF so you have access to a copy even if you don’t have the program still installed and operational :

• How do I save my return as a PDF in the TurboTax software for Windows?
• How do I save my return as a PDF in the TurboTax software for Mac?

AND protect the files :

• How can I protect the tax files on my computer?

*** Other clues to the downloaded program ***

In the forms mode ... double click  or right click on a box on a form to data source it ... sadly it doesn't work on all boxes. 

What's the meaning of all the different colors in Forms Mode?

When you look at an onscreen tax form using Forms Mode, you might wonder why one figure is blue and the one next to it is red or black.

These colors indicate the source of that data.

@Critter-3  What looks different this year?  So far I haven't noticed anything in Windows Home & Business.

Not sure about others yet, but in desktop premier, the W-2 data entry lays out differently.

Boxes 1-6 are now vertically oriented instead of 1&2, 3&4, 5&6 alongside each other, no matter how wide I make my screen.

Don't particularly like that type of layout.  Each field & the taxes associated with it should be side-by-side !!

....and if you enter a $ number on it, such as 8000.6....it doesn't automatically add in the "0" and leaves it as 8000.6  (though the W-2 worksheet in forms mode does show the .60 )

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Test file  High Income: